International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives: 353
Food additives Europe numbers: E353
Metatartaric acid isn't a common food excipient, and its use in food applications seems limited. Here's what we can glean from available information:
- Chemical Properties: Metatartaric acid is a derivative of tartaric acid, a naturally occurring organic acid found in fruits like grapes. However, unlike tartaric acid which has several food applications, metatartaric acid isn't widely used in food processing.
- Potential Uses (speculative): Some sources suggest potential applications of metatartaric acid in food, but these seem to be investigative or limited:
- Acidity regulator: It might possess some acidity regulating properties, but established and approved acidity regulators like citric acid or lactic acid are more commonly used.
- Cream of tartar substitute: In theory, it could act as a substitute for cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) in some baking applications. Cream of tartar is a leavening agent that helps activate baking soda. However, metatartaric acid's effectiveness and safety for this purpose are not well established.
- Limited Information on Safety and Regulation: There's a scarcity of information on the safety and regulatory approval status of metatartaric acid as a food additive.
External Links
Metatartaric acid